New User and Honda Nighthawk CB 250

[Martinis at 8]

Glad I found this site and that such a community exists on the internet. I am looking to purchase a small bike, a Honda CB 250 Nighthawk.

There is a shop that sells used bikes near my home (here in Texas) and they are offering a year model 1999 for $1,995. It has 7,800 miles on it. I checked KBB that listed retail used for $1,885 and trade-in value for $1,220. I am thinking of offering the mid-point of $1,550.

My questions are:

1. Do the used shops typically fix up the bike before they put it on the floor, or only after a sale is made to assure that they received a price that warrants whatever the bike needed to get up to snuff?

2. Since the MSRP on a new Honda Rebel 250 is about $3,200, is $1,550 for the similar Nighthawk 250 even a good deal? Seems to me I should be able to get it for less than $1,000, but I know little about these bargaining things for dickering on prices.

Other considerations: I haven't ridden a bike since I was a kid, I'm 50 now. I did, however, take an MSF course as a refresher - that was fun. Back when I was a kid it seemed like everyone had a Honda 150. What's with all the big bikes in the US these days? Seems like no more UJM type bikes - either leaning too far back, or leaning too far forward. I went into a dealer and asked for a 150 and got laughed at, though one of the older guys took sympathy on me. I only want the bike for practice here in the US. I do a lot of work in SE Asia and West Africa (oil business). All the bikes in those regions are small, like 90's, 125's, etc., a 250 there is a big bike. I can rent the little bikes there for almost nothing. Since the traffic is horrible in places like Jakarta, Lagos, and similar, getting around on a bike makes things a lot easier, though the lane-splitting there is pretty bizarre. Also, parts availability for the Nighthawk? I have been told by several dealers that the Nighthawk 250 is no longer made, though the Honda website contradicts this. Huh?

Thank you all in advance, sorry I'm not really a biker. I just need some basic transportation when I am working overseas. Uh by the way, I see motorcycles in Lagos serving as taxis. You just go to a corner where these motorcycles congregate, negotiate a price, and they take you to your destination. That was pretty interesting to watch.

Cheers,

Martinis at 8

[zed]

You and I are about the same age. Yes, times have changed! You might want to look at bikes in the 250-500cc range. I ride a Vulcan 500(my first bike). When we were youngsters it would have been considered a mid-size, now it's a starter bike!
There are standard bikes out there but now it's more to do with seating position rather than the look. Visit the dealers and sit on the bikes to get a feel for them. For instance, my Vulcan is considered a cruiser and yet the seating position is closer to a standard.
Sorry I can't help with the first two questions.

[olebiker]

I think the honda will make you a fine bike according to your needs. I am a bit older than you and can understand your surprise at how bikes have grown. You don't need a larger bike in fact you will get wonderful mileage and cheaper insurance on the small one. As you know most of the world ride small displacement bikes, but here in North America and Europe they just get bigger. I believe that most people are starting out with bikes that are far to heavy and powerful for them. I am a past instructor here in Canada with over 40 years riding experience so I think my opinion has some merit. Enjoy your return to motorcycling and you are a real biker if you own and ride a bike.

[blues2cruise]

Welcome to the TMW community.

Whatever you end up with, I don't doubt you will enjoy it.

[flynrider]

Welcome to TMW.

I'm also one of those that mourns the passing of the UJM. The sportbikes are fine on the racetrack, but I don't care for the riding position for everyday use. And, my compressed vertebrae have never really taken a liking to the cruiser riding position.

Fortunately, I bought my bike when Honda was still making their retro UJM 750 (until '03), so it'll have to last me.

The Nighthawk 250 is still in production. As a matter of fact, it's remained unchanged and in production for so long, that it'll probably be 30 or 40 yrs. until parts start getting scarce.

I've been toying with the idea of getting a 250 for riding around in the city. I'm eyeing the new Kawasaki 250. Even though it has plastic on it, the riding position is all UJM (i.e. feet below the knees, no forced forward lean).

Good luck with the Nighthawk.

[Martinis at 8]

Thanks for the replies. Been off-line, wife and I went off for a long weekend to Las Vegas. What a coincidence, as Bikerfest was going on there this last weekend. This was a Harley-Davidson event. The bikers were polite, and for the most part are even older than us A free bike was raffled away. Not sure what I would have done with it if won.

The used Nighthawk CB250 I was querying about was sold the next day when I called the shop. I will keep my eye out for another one.

I'm looking for a book on basic mechanics. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

M8